DelBene idea tucked into GOP farm bill

Democratic Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is not a sponsor of the farm bill put forth today by House Republicans.

But the Medina lawmaker did get her proposal to boost job training for food stamp recipients included in the legislation offered up by Republican Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma.

“After months of hard work, I’m pleased that the Farm Bill introduced by Chairman Lucas today includes my proposal to help struggling families receive the training and education they need to get a good job,” she said in a statement. “It’s a good example of what can get done if folks are willing to sit down and work together.”

DelBene’s idea is to conduct pilot projects around the country that help low-income individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program get the training needed to find well-paying jobs and thereby reduce their dependence on government assistance.

DelBene, whose 1st Congressional District includes eastern portions of Snohomish County, introduced legislation Thursday to provide federal grants to help states get started on such projects.

She’s hoping other states emulate the Basic Food Education &Training program run in Washington which has helped more than 11,000 people find jobs, according to information released by her office

The House Agriculture Committee, on which DelBene is a member, is scheduled to vote on the bill on May 15.